Humanitarian Catastrophe in Syria

In January, inspired by democratic uprisings around the Middle East and North Africa, Syrian citizens started a series of protests in the autocratic country. In response, the Syrian government launched a brutal crackdown against the demonstrators. This crackdown is nothing short of a military operation, using live ammunition, tanks, and helicopter gunships. Syrian human rights organizations claim up to 1,300 people have died and up to 10,000 detained since the uprising began. In the town of Dara’a, a reported five thousand residents are being held in a makeshift prison camp at the local sports stadium.

Syria’s crackdown shows no signs of letting up. The intensity of the conflict has only increased, with June seeing some of the most aggressive operations against protestors. In times like these, the ability of the wounded to receive health care is cruel, and tenuous. Good to see the ICRC is working hard to protect it.